ssun017 Bible Query rom Daviel %. | Bible Query from pls Daniel Q: In Dan, when was this book written? A: Danie! was most likely written down shortly after the events occurred, in the 6th century B.C., according to The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1324. Many Jewish youths were taken to Babylon in 605 B.C, and some commentators guess that Daniel was about 16 years old. This would make Daniel about 85 years old when the Persians captured Babylon. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.596 claims it could have been written as late as 165 B.C. However, the Jewish historian Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews 11.8.5 (c.93-94 A.D.) records that when Alexander the Great approached Jerusalem (c.333 B.C.), the High Priest Jaddua met him and showed Alexander part of the book of Daniel where the Greeks would overcome the Persians. Alexander apparently was impressed, and left the Jews alone. Origen (225-254 A.D.) says that when Alexander of Macedon came to Jerusalem, the Jewish high priest, clothed in his sacred robe met him. Alexander bowed before him, saying that he had seen someone with the same robe in his dream, announcing that he was to be the subjugator of all of Asia. Origen Against Celsus book 4 ch.50 p.565 See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.367 for more info on Alexander, When Critics Ask p.291, and Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.282-284 for more info in general on the date of the book of Daniel. Q; Was Dan written down in the second century (after Alexander's conquest), because of the Greek words found in Daniel? ‘A: No. While the skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.597 claims “other subtle facets of the language used bespeak the Greek period rather than the time of Exile", there are only three Greek words in Daniel, which is less than the seven Persian words found. Here is more on these two points. Only three Greek words are in Daniel (Daniel 3:5, 10,15), and all three of them refer to musical instruments. However, this does not show second century authorship, as Assyrian inscriptions say Greek captives were in Mesopotamia in the 8th century B.C. In addition, in the 7th century, the Greek Alcaeus of Lebos mentions that his brother was serving in the Babylonian army. Likewise The Expositor’s Bible Commentary volume 1 p.247 also says, "There is little doubt that the names of the instruments in Daniel were Old Persian in character, and were assimilated by the Greeks into their ‘own culture with some orthographic modifications. Consequently this particular argument is no longer important for the literary criticism of Daniel." 6 1/2 Persian words are in Daniel referring to administration (Daniel 6:1-4,6-7), and fell into disuse within a century after the Persian Empire fell to Alexander, As 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.193 says, "...Daniel's correct use of these words simply cannot be explained if the author were an unknown second -century writer unfamiliar with the details of Persian government three hundred years before his time." (The word satrap is counted as a half, because it was actually a Medean word, which later was adopted by the Persians too. Q: Was Dan written after Sirach, since Sirach 47-49 contains a fairly exhaustive list of the Old Testament, omitting Daniel, as Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.623 says? A: The time of the Maccabees was until about 165 B.C. However, four pieces of evidence are against this second century theory tein the Apocrypha, 1 Maccabees 2:49-60 mentions Daniel and the three young men in such a way to. pakwwwbiblequery orien mt assuz017 Bible Query rom Daviel ifAply that the book was already written by then. Otherwise, how would the readers of 1 Maccabees Ep expected to understand Daniel and the three young men? See 1001 Bible Questions Answered .367 for more info on this. 2. Archaeologists have dated a copy of the manuscript of Daniel at 120 B.C. The Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.436-438 mentions this, saying that this "brings into question the alleged Maccabean date of its composition.” 3. Babylonian excavations show that the details of Daniel are correct. M. Lenormant says, "The more the knowledge of cuneiform texts advances, the more is felt the necessity to revise (correct) the too hasty condemnation of the book of Daniel by the German exegetical school” (La Magie p.14) (quoted from 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.367) 4, Also the reference in Josephus already mentioned in the previous question. Q: In Dan, what are the similarities with the rest of the Bible? A; Daniel can be considered the Revelation of the Old Testament. Here are the similarities with other books of the Bible. Cee Peel Rest of the Bible JA beast with ten horns Dan 7:4-7 Rev 13:1-3; 17:3 lWheels of fire onthe heavenly [Dan 7:9 Ezek 1:15-28; 10:1-22 throne |Ten thousand times ten thousand = |Dan 7:10 Rev 19:14. See also Mt land the river of fire in heaven 16:27; Jude 14 Jesus comes with the clouds; every [Dan 7:13 Rev 1:7; Mt 24:30; Mk jeye shall see Jesus return 13:26; Lk 21:27; Acts 1:11 Dragon casting down stars Dan 8:10 Rev 12:4 [Gabriel Dan 8:16; 9:21 LK 1:19 [Corporate prayer of confession _|Dan 9:4-19 Nehemiah 1:5-11 [A flood, or river of water Dan 9:26 Rev 12:15; Nahum 1:8 [3 1/2 years Dan 9:26-27, 12:7,11|Rev 11:1-3, 12:6; 13:5 [Abomination that causes desolation Dan 9:27; 11:31; Mt 24:15 12:14 Michael Dan 12:1 Rev 12:7; Jude 9 [The Book of Life Dan 12:1 Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 120:12,15; 21:27; Lk 10:20; IEx 2:32-33; Ps 69:28 [Coming to life again Dan 12:2 Rev 20:4-5 Do /Donot seal up words ofa [Dan 12:4 Rev 22:10 prophecy Parts of God's Revelation sealed up|Dan 12:9 Rev 10:4; Isa 29:11-12 [Good and evil both increase Dan 12:10 Rev 22:11 Qi In Dan, what is an outline of this book? BerScholars differ on the hest wav ta outline the hank of Daniel There are two averall outlines to the hp twawbiblequery organ mt 2assun017 Bible Query rom Darel tpikigh Daniel. On one hand, chapters 1-6 are Danie''s life (and Nebuchadnezzar's visions) written in third person, and chapters 7-12 are Daniels visions, written in first person. The other way to outline the book is chapter 1 is Daniels early history in Hebrew, chapters 2-7 are written in Aramaic as Danie''s life prophesying the future of the Gentiles, and chapters 8-12 are written in Hebrew as the prophetic history of Israel. If we have puns (plays on words), could God have "plays on outlines"? ‘Anyway, Here is a simple outline of the book of Daniel Dan 1-6 Daniel's Life Dan 1 Daniet’s Situation Dan 2 Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of the Statue Dan 3 Nebuchadnezzar Makes his Own Statue Dan 4 Nebuchadnezzar's Dream of His Insanity Dan 5 Belshazzar's Feast and Writing on the Wall Dan 6 Darius’ 30-Day Decree Dan 7-12 Daniel's Visions Dan 7 Vision of the Four Beasts Dan 8 Vision of the Ram and the Goat Dan 9 Vision of the Seventy Sevens Dan 10-12 Vision of the Greeks Q: In Dan 1:1, what do we know about Nebuchadnezzar II apart from the Bible? A: His name is written in English both as Nebuchadnezzar and Nebuchadrezzar, but the latter is more similar to the way the Babylonians pronounced it. It means Nabo [a god] protect my frontier. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica (1972) Nebuchadnezzar II was the oldest son of Nabopolassar. He defeated the Egyptians at Carchemish in 605 B.C. When Nabopolassar died, Nebuchadnezzar Il returned to Babylon and ruled from 605 B.C. to August/September 562 B.C. The Babylonian Chronicle gives details of his fighting Egypt, besieging Tyre, and defeating Judah in 597 B.C. He fought Elam in 596 B.C. and put down a revolt in 595 B.C.. After that the Babylonian Chronicle is missing here. The New International Dictionary of the Bible p.696 has a photograph of a Babylonian decree listing the events from the last year of Nabopolassar to Nebuchadnezzar II's 11th year, It mentions the Babylonian capture of Jerusalem Nebuchadnezzar built the hanging gardens of Babylon, which have been called one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. He built them for his wife Amytis, the daughter of king Astyages (Medean [Stuegu) of Media Q: In Dan 1:1, did Nebuchadnezzar invade Judah in the third year of Jehoiakim, or in the fourth year as Jer 46:2 says? ‘A: Both, and this was only one invasion, because the dating system used in Judah in the fifth century B.C. was different than the one used in Babylon. There is an interesting side note here. As 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.192 points out, no Jew writing centuries later would use a Babylonian calendar system that gave a year different from what Jeremiah wrote, Rather than being an error in the book of Daniel, this confirms that Daniel was written in the fifth century rather than later. When Critics Ask p.291-293 explains the details of the two calendar systems. The "Nisan" calendar guste Jeremiah (and the Assyrians) used started in Nisan (April). Jehoiakim because of Judah a few ays after the new year, so the first [full] year would start the first day of the following year. Daniel hp tw biblequery orden amt assun2017 LOW ARE” HSnl Caveruar where Ue New year started IN snm areung Uetover, Ine HSL [UN] year OI Jehoiakim's reign started on that the first day of Tishri. The Babylonian invasion took place in the ‘summer of 605 B.C. Also, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1328-1329 adds that the Babylonians did counted the part of a new king's reign prior to the start of the new year as his first year, while the Jews did not. See Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.284-285 for more info. Q: In Dan 1:2, where is Shinar? ‘A: Shinar is a synonym for the land of Babylonia. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.599 claims this is anachronistic. However, literary writers often used synonyms for the same word, and Daniel is doing so here. Q: In Dan 1:3-6, these four were not the only youths taken from Judah for the king's service, Why do you think other youths are not mentioned anywhere in Daniel? A: Perhaps the other youths thought they had no choice and ate the food offered to them. Once the made that compromise, then they might make other compromises. But remember, you always have a choice. Q: In Dan 4:7, how do you pronounce Belteshazzar? A: The Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.216 pronounces it as bel-te-SHAZ-er. The first and third syllables have short vowels, the "te" has a long e with a dot over it, and the "er" has an e with a tilde over it. Q: In Dan 1:6, what did these names mean? ‘A: Here is what they meant according to The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1330. Belteshazzar was the Akkadian word Belet-sar-usur, which meant, “Lady, protect the Kin, Shadrach was probably the Akkadian verb Saduraku, which meant "| am fearful [of a god)". Alternately, it might come from Aku, the Sumerian moon god. Meshach possibly was the Akkadian verb mesaku, which meant "I despised, contemptible, humbled [before my god]" Abednego meant servant of [the god named] Nebo. Nebo was the Babylonian god of writing and vegetables. He was the son of Bel The names seemed to serve the purpose of reminding them that they were a conquered people, and exalting the Babylonian gods. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.600 gives totally different meanings. It says Belteshazzar means "Bel protect his life", Shadrach means "Aku commands", Meshach was a word of doubtful meaning. He agrees that Abednego means "servant of Nebo" Q: In Dan 1:7; 4:8, why did Daniel and the three other Jewish teenagers consent to have their names changed to be names that included pagan gods? ‘A: They probably did not have any choice in the matter. The Bible does not have a prohibition on someone having a name with a pagan idol, though a believer would normally not want to do so. Q In Dan 1:8-20, Daniel and the three other youths could have said, “since we have no choice” We'must eat the food. On the other hand, they could have said, "we will die rather than eat that gy" Bo you think Daniel's course of action was best? hp twa biblequery organ mt 4Msso? Bb Query from Darel A: Daniel's course required trusting in God. He believed that God would keep them healthy, even though they were not eating the meat, or drinking the wine (which can reduce the ill-effects of bacteria-infested food). Q: In Dan 1:9 (KJV), what is "tender love” here? A: The NKJV translates this as “favor and goodwill. The NIV translates this as “favor and sympathy” The NRSV and NASB translate this as "favor and compassion". The NET Bible says "sympathetic". Q: In Dan 1:10, why did Daniel and his friends not eat this food? ‘A; Since these Jewish youths took the Old Testament dietary commands seriously, there were at least three reasons. 4. Some of this undoubtedly included pork, shellfish, perhaps camel meat, and other animals they were prohibited to eat. In addition, even the clean animals probably were cooked in the same pots as the unclean ones. 2. For even the clean animals, the Jews could not eat the blood, We do not hear of ancient cultures draining the blood before cooking the animals. 3. The meat might have been first sacrificed to idols, and perhaps they did not want to eat that meat. 4, There were other laws, such as one could not cook a young animal in its mother's milk, John Chrysostom (before 407 A.D.) eloquently discusses their plight in his treatise None Can Harm Him Who Dot Not Injure Himself ch.15 (NPNF vol.9) p.281-282 Q: In Dan 1:10-45, why did these Jewish boys look healthier than the others? A: While scripture does not say, it could be a combination of at least five reasons. 1. It might be a miracle, outside of nature. 2. Perhaps the Jewish youths’ simple food, with no pork or delicacies, did not have any parasites and the other food did 3. There were no preservatives, refrigerators, and few spices back then. (Food poisoning was probably more common then.) 4. Perhaps many in the royal court drank wine excessively. Besides being bad for your liver, I have been told that extensive drinking can make a light-complected person have a redder-appearing face. This is because small capillaries burst and give the reddish appearance. 5. A very simple possibility is that cutting down on food that is very fatty and sweet can reduce the pimples on a person's face Q: In Dan 1:11 (KJV), who was "Melzar"? A: This might have been a proper name. On the other hand, this might have been a title, such as “chief official" (NIV), "steward" (NKJV and the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.1099-1100), "overseer" (NASB), or “guard” (NRSV). Q: In Dan 1:12 (KJV), what is “pulse” to eat? A; This word means vegetables, or non-meat food. Q: In.Dan 1:12, what kind of vegetables did they eat? 27S siole Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1331 says this Hebrew word zeroa' was hpi bibleguryorgiéan im massun2017 Bible Query rom Darel ratner generic, ana inciuded grains and any tooa that was sown too. Q: In Dan 1:12-16, was Daniel a vegetarian and not a wine drinker the rest of his life? : No, because in Dan 10:2-4 when Daniel mourned for three full weeks, he changed his diet and did not take meat or wine. This indicates he did have those normally. Q; In Dan 1:20, were magicians and astrologers prominent in ancient Babylon? ‘A: Yes. In particular, western astrology traces its origins back to Babylon. Another, later source of astrology was Pergamum, in Asia Minor, but that was 400 years later, and that too came from Babylon. Q: In Dan 1:21, did Daniel continue until the first year of Cyrus, or the third year as Dan 10:1 says? A: Both, since Daniel continued even beyond the third year. Daniel 1:21 stresses that Daniel served as an official not only through the end of the Babylonian empire, but even into the Persian Empire. It does not say Daniel died or retired in the first year of Cyrus. Indeed, Daniel 10:1, perhaps written down slightly later, says even through the third year. See When Critics Ask p.295 for more info. Q: In Dan 2, when did this dream occur? A: In Daniel 1 Daniel was carried off June-August 605 B.C.. On September 7, 605 B.C, King Nebopolasser, Nebuchadnezzar’ father, died, and Nebuchadnezzar became the supreme ruler of Babylon. Daniel 2 was in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. 604 B.C. according to the NIV Study Bible notes p.1301 and the Evangelical Bible Commentary p.592 603 B.C. according to the New International Bible Commentary p.854 and Walvoord's Daniel : Key to Prophetic Understanding p.45-46. Between April 603 B.C. and March 602 B.C. The Expositor's Bible Commentary vol.7 p.39 About four years after 605 B.C. and the events of Daniel 1 according to the older Lange's Commentary on Daniel p.66 (published 1901). He believed that Nebuchadnezzar did not become sole ruler until a few years after his father's death. Q: In Dan 2:1, why did God communicate directly to Nebuchadnezzar, an ungodly man, in a dream, instead of just speaking to Daniel? ‘A: A person's wickedness does nothing to restrict God from communicating with them or using them for His ends. Q: In Dan 2:2-10; 2:18; 4:7; 5:7,11, who were the Chaldeans here? ‘A: While the Amorite Babylonian people were called Chaldeans, that is not what is meant here. Within Babylonian culture, the Chaldeans were a class of priests. The Amorites came from the northwest. The Chaldeans did not emerge from the Arabian desert, despite what Asimov's Guide to the Bible 8387 states. Fin PU Bai 2:2-40; 4:7; 5:7,11, does calling the priests Chaldeans show a later authorship, as some the skeptical Asimov's Guide fo the Bible p.601 maintains? hp tw biblequery organ mt anssor? Bible Query from Darel ‘A: No. Gleason Archer has an extensive article in Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.285-286 discussing this. 1. Daniel uses the Hebrew term, Kasdim, not only to refer to priests, but also the Chaldean (Babylonian) people in Daniel 5:30. If using it to refer to priests showed a late authorship, then Daniel 5:30 would show an early authorship. 2. However, using this in two ways shows this was written around Daniels time. The Akkadian language, which Babylonians in Daniel's time spoke, used the same word Kal-du (from the Sumerian Gal-du to refer to both the priests and the nation. A table dated in the 14th year of Shamash-shumukin (668-648 B.C.) uses Gal-du for the priests. Archer says the Babylonians prior to the fall of Assyria used Gas‘du for the Chaldean people. After the fall of Assyria, they changed the consonant "s" in many words to the consonant "I". 3. The Greeks, who knew of the Babylonians long before Daniel was bom, called the nation Chaldaioi. See also When Critics Ask p.293 for more info. Q: In Dan 2:2, how could Daniel be a Babylonian "wise man", since the wise men were trained in occultic arts? ‘A: The Jewish youths were trained in the language and literature of the Babylonians. It does not necessarily mean they were trained in religious or occultic arts, and even thought they might have been against their will, there was no evidence they practiced those. Notice in Daniel 2:2 that when Nebuchadnezzar summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and astrologers, Daniel was not among them, Only later did Daniel hear about this. See 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.194 for more info. Q: In Dan 2:3-7, was King Nebuchadnezzar more unreasonable than other kings to tell the astrologers and fortune tellers they would be executed if they did not interpret his dream? ‘A: Not necessary. According to Herodotus in History book 14 p.134, when the Scythian king got sick, he asked for three soothsayer to tell which person made him sick by that person swearing falsely by the king's hearth, If the accused person admitted it, the accused was executed. If the accused person denied it, then six more soothsayers were called, and if they did not pick out the same guy, then the original three soothsayers were bound and thrown on a cart with brushwood which was then set on fire. This might be a case when a job might pay well, but there are still good reasons not take it. | think | will pass on trying to get a job as a royal soothsayer! Some jobs today, like working for organized crime, are not redeemable and you would not want. But some other jobs might be stressful, and you might get fired, but God wanted you there as a testimony to Him. For example, let's say you were elected as a politician where you had to choose between being beholden to one of two special interest groups. You could choose not to be beholden to any group, even though when the election came, you would have no campaign funds, get trounced in the election, and have to look for another job. Daniel was in a rather stressful job. But rather than run from that position, Daniel stood where God wanted him to be. Qj What does Dan 2:4-16 tell us about Nebuchadnezzar's character? Fe'Here are five things. “ishechadnezzar was capricious. He had these four Jewish youths trained, and after having them trained he was going to kill them along with al the other wise men, for something that no human could naturally do? Nebuchadnezzar was impressed with Daniel and his friends in Danie! 1:18-20, but they were aoina to be killed with the others in Daniel 2:17! bp twa biblequery orden mt 74Bible Query rom Darl 2. He was severe and harsh. In this part of the world, in Daniel 2:5 when they reduced a house to a pile of rubble, they did this by pulling out the wooden beams until everything collapsed. The family would still be in the house. 3. Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury. 4, Nebuchadnezzar was proud and arrogant. 5, Nebuchadnezzar was surprised that the astrologers answers him that no one could do this in Daniel 2:10-11, He seemed to have no clue as to how his words would make others fell or think. Or perhaps he did not care, Q: In Dan 2:4 (KJV), what is "Syriack"? : This is another name for the "Syriac" or the Aramaic language often spoken in from Palestine to Babylonia Q: Why was Dan 2:4b-7:28 written in Aramaic, while Dan 8:1-12:13 were written in Hebrew? A: Daniel or his one or more secretaries could write in whatever language they deemed best; there is. nothing more sacred about Hebrew. We do not know why the human authors chose to write it this way. One reason might be that the first chapters related to nations in the Mideast, while the last chapters relate specifically to the Jews, Ezra 4:8-6:18 and Ezra 7:12-26 also were written in Aramaic. Also note that in Daniel chapters 1-6 are written in third person, while verse 7:2 starts in first person. The Aramaic portion starts immediately after "answered the king in Aramaic’. It does not go back to Hebrew until Daniel 8:1 Q: In Dan 2:4b-7:28, what else do we know about Aramaic? ‘A: Aramaic was an extremely long-lived language, closely related to Hebrew. It was spoken by Laban and people of Syria back in Abraham's time (Genesis 31:47); it was spoken here, and in Jesus' time, and it was spoken for a few more centuries by Nestorians and other Christians in Syria and eastward. The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 1 p.247 says that linguistic research has shown there were four principal groups of Aramaic: Old Aramaic, Official Aramaic, Levantine Aramaic, and Eastern ‘Aramaic. The Assyrians from c.1100-605 B.C. spoke Official Aramaic. Outside of the Bible, "Aramaisms", including some found in the book of Daniel, have been seen in writings from Ugarit during the Amara period, around 1400 B.C. The Expositor's Bible Commentary also says the Aramaic of Daniel was used from the 7th century and on, and used in the fifth century by Jews in the papyrii in Elephantine, Egypt and in Ezra. The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 1 p.403 says that this Aramaic is considerably different from the Aramaic written at Qumran near the time of Christ. ‘See The New International Dictionary of the Bible p.74-75 for a photograph of Aramaic written on pottery addressed to Eliashib, the probable commander of the fortress of Arad. The Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.123 says that abundant examples have been found of the Babylonians (605-538 B.C.) and the Persians using Aramaic in their official letters. The Borchardt collection has 13 Persian letters, Ywitten in Aramaic, from Egypt. Tronw Oil San 2:6, what does this word "reards"imply? AA: "rewards" is a singular (not plural) word, and has the idea of a present more than a reward. See Daniel : Key to Prophetic Understanding p.50 for more info. hp twa biblequery organ mt aMssun017 Bible Query rom Daviel Q: In Dan 2:20-23 what are at least four reasons why did Daniel might have spent so much time praising God after God revealed the meaning to him? A: This is a very beautiful prayer, that is well-composed. There might be these four reasons. 1. If Nebuchadnezzar had executed all of the wise men, Danie! 2:18 shows that Daniel and his three friends would have been executed too. Daniel was grateful because of the safety of him, his friends, and others. 2. Even apart from the danger that passed, Daniel was specifically grateful that God revealed His mysteries to Him. We should be grateful when God reveals things to us by His word. 3. Daniel was generally grateful and in the habit of praying to God, three times a day in Daniel 6:10. Daniel was in the habit of praising God and thanking Him. 4, This prayer might actually have served as "protection" for Daniel. IT was obvious that no human could do this, without God's help. Daniel might have thought that he was rally something now, or that he was especially worthy of merit because he had such a close connection with God, This prayer was Daniel's acknowledgement that it was all God, and he did not do anything apart from what God had revealed to him. Q: In Dan 2:24, why did Daniel not let the pagan wise men of Babylon be killed? : Daniel had no hatred or ill-will toward them. One of God's chosen people being involved in the occult or magic was punishable by death in the Old Testament. However, the Babylonian wise men were not all sorcerers, and even those that were probably did not know of the prohibitions in the Bible. Q: In Dan 2:24-25, why did Arioch say he found Daniel, rather than Daniel came to him? A: Perhaps Arioch wanted to get credit for something he did not do. Unfortunately, sometimes people today in business also want to get credit for things they did not do. Q; In Dan 2:28-3:1, did Nebuchadnezzar believe in God after that? ‘A: Nebuchadnezzar at least believed that Daniel's God was to be reckoned with, especially since Daniel's God could set up and depose kingdoms, However, after that, in Daniel 3:1 Nebuchadnezzar set up an image that everyone had to bow down and worship. Q: In Dan 2:30, why was Daniel so careful to make it clear this wisdom was not from him, but straight from God? A: Ina society where people and lifeless images were worshipped for the slightest of reasons, Daniel wanted to make sure to communicate that it was God who should be praised here, and not Daniel Today, even when there is no chance of us being worshipped, it is important to give God the glory, rather than letting others give us the glory when they should be focused on God. Qj In Dan 2:31-35, what are the characteristics of these metals? FeGold is the most precious, heaviest, and least hard. Silver is second, and iron the last. Ignoring the fstihiat gold statues were typically gold-plated, not pure gold, this showed that the Babylonian Empire would seem the best, most stable, and unchallenged. The Persian Empire always had revolts from Greeks, Egyptians, and internally. The Greek (Macedonian) Empire split into four parts immediately upon Alexander's death. The Roman Empire had more challengers than the other ‘empires, and would seem the least secure (between the Gauls, Carthaginians, Germans, revolts, hp twa biblequery organ mt aass4ror7 Bible Query ram Davie Huns, etc.) but it was tne strongest. Ur course tnere are otner metals not menuoned in this dream Likewise there are other empires not mentioned here, but they were not over the Jews. See Daniel: Key to Prophetic Understanding p.63 for more info. Q: In Dan 2:35a, what might the wind that swept them away represent? A: The wind here is not just the sands of time, but more likely it would be God's working in history to fulfil the destiny He has planned. Q; In Dan 2:35b, what was the mountain that filled the whole earth? ‘A: This would be the Kingdom of God, inaugurated by Jesus Christ. This is Jesus destroying the nations. This is fulfilled at the Battle of Armageddon according to 1007 Bible Questions Answered p.291-292. Q; In Dan 2:37-44, what were these four kingdoms in the "monarchy-colossus" and the mountain? A: They are the Babylonian (c.605-538 B.C.), Medeo-Persian (c.538 B.C.), Greek/Macedonian (c.333 B.C.), and Roman Empires. Here are three clues to help us arrive at the answer. 4. These were not just any four Empires, but four Empires that related to the Jews and superseded each other. Thus, Indian, Chinese, Mongol, and New World empires are not under consideration here, 2. Daniel 2:36-39 shows that the Neo-Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar is the first one. Thus, the Egyptian Empire cannot be one of the four, as it preceded the Babylonian Empire, yet existed in some form until Persian times. Likewise, the Assyrian Empire is not one of the four as it was destroyed forever prior to Nebuchadnezzar. 3. Jesus Christ, the Kings of Kings, will set up His kingdom during the time of the fourth empire. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.603 claims the Median and Persian Empire were counted as two empires, and the fourth empire was Alexander's Macedonian Empire. Asimov probably says this because he believes Daniel was written after Alexander came to power (perhaps as late as 165 B.C. Asimov claims). However, the Medean Empire was never distinct from the Persians, anymore than the Roman Empire was distinct, before, during, or after Julius Caesar's time. See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.290-291 for more info. Q: In Dan 2:37-44, could the Empire of the Medes and Persians be two Empires instead of one? ‘A: No, because as Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.293 reminds us, Daniel 5:28 could not be any more plain. The writer knew imperial control passed directly from the Babylonian to the Medo-Persian Empire, not first to the Medes (whom the Persians had defeated prior to this time) and later to the Persians. @ In Dan 2:38, why might Daniel say Nebuchadnezzar had dominion over mankind, the beasts the field, etc.? how je Nebuchadnezzar had dominion over the entire land of the fertile crescent, there might have been a more immediate reason. In the Babylonian New year Festival, they probably recited the Babylonian Epic of Creation, and the king was the representative of the god Marduk, who created everything. Daniel : Key to Prophetic Understanding p.65 Historically, everyone agrees that Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful king in the Mideast, but even everyone in Nebuchadnezzar's empire knew of kings who were not subject to him. So how bp twa biblequery orden mt saassucor Bible Query fom Darel would people in Bible times have understood this? The Aramaic word in Daniel 2:38,39; 4:22 is ‘ara (Strong's 772) which comes from the Hebrew word ‘erets (Strong's 776). It has a very broad range of meaning. According to Strong's Concordance the Hebrew word ‘erets means "common, country, earth, field, ground, land, x nations, way, + wilderness, world.” So the word besides meaning earth, can just as easily mean land (i.e. Mesopotamia). A saying like this was both an idiom of speech and a title, as years earlier King Amar-Enzu of the Third Dynasty of Ur referred to himself as Jugal dubdalimmubak, or "king of the Four Quarters of the earth" in his building inscriptions. This is according to The Expositor's Bible Commentary vol.7 p.63. It would be understood by all listeners that this would not refer to the entire planet, as both in Nebuchadnezzar's time and Amar-Enzu's time, the Elam, Persia, Lydia, Egypt, and Greece were all independent lands well-known to them. However, Nebuchadnezzar was the most powerful king in the Mideast, and the longer he reigned the more powerful he grew. So there are two possibilities: ‘ara (‘erets) meant the entire planet earth or it meant the land of Mesopotamia. Note that Daniel 2:38,39 and 4:22 are NOT prophecies; toward the last part of Nebuchadnezzar's reign they are telling him what he already has. It has to be the second possibilty, because nobody back then would have understood that the Babylonians ruled over Greece, Medi Lydia, ete, As a side note, Nebuchadnezzar reigned from 605-562 B.C., and here are some of the military battles during his reign May/June/604 B.C. At Carchemish Babylonians defeat the Egyptians. 11-12/605/604 B.C, Babylonians sack Ashkelon in Phoenicia. 603 B.C. Babylonians sack Ekron in Phoenicia. 601 B.C. Babylonians and Egyptians fight to a draw; heavy losses. 600 B.C. Lydians destroy Smyrna in Asia Minor. 599-598 B.C, Babylonians fight Arabs. 16 Mar 597 B.C. Babylonians capture Jerusalem, but do not destroy it. 596 B.C. Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar |! fights the Elamites. 595-594 B.C, Nebuchadnezzar Il puts down revolt. 593/591 B.C. Egyptian Psamtik II+Greek, Phoenician and Jewish mercenaries defeat Nubia. 589-587 B.C, Jews rebel against Babylon, Jerusalem suffers a 30-month siege. 585-573 B.C. Babylonians besiege King Ethbaal I! of Tyre. 585 B.C. War ends between Medes and Alyattes of Lydia after the eclipse of 28 May 585 B.C. 584-584 B.C, Nebuchadnezzar Il besieges Tyre. 581 B.C. Babylonians deport more from Judah. 570 B.C. Greeks and Cyrene fight in Cyrenaica. 570 B.C. Greeks in Cyrene defeat Apries of Egypt. 568-567 B.C. Apries and Babylonians try to invade Egypt. 560 B.C. Lydian King Croesus subjugates lonian cities. 560-547/546 Persians subdue King Croesus of Lydia. @ In Dan 2:44, how would Christ's kingdom break and destroy the other kingdoms? Fett would break the other kingdoms in at least four ways. Sp \ifwaity, demons have influence over kingdoms, as Daniel 10:13 shows. Politically, kingdoms that claimed to be Christian, or at least pretended to be Christian, would rule much of the world, starting with the Roman Empire in Constantine's time (324 A.D.) Culturally, A Christian worldview would dominate western thought for over fifteen hundred years Ultimately, (and this is most important) God the Son will come on the earth, set up His rule, every knee will bow to Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11), and all will be under His dominion (1 Corinthians 15:24- 25) hp twa biblequery orden mt ssssun2017 Bible Query rom Daviel Q: In Dan 2:46 (KJV), why did Daniel appear to accept oblation, incense, and worship from Nebuchadnezzar? : A better translation than "worship" is "praise". One issue is whether or not Daniel was wise to accept this praise, However, even assuming Daniel acted properly, this was praise and definitely not worship, as no king would want to compromise his authority by worshipping one of his subjects. Q: In Dan 2:48-49, what was the final outcome of Nebuchadnezzar's harshness? What does this reveal about Nebuchadnezzar's character? A: Nebuchadnezzar gave Daniel a high position and lavished gifts on him. Perhaps Nebuchadnezzar did this not out of love for Daniel, but rather to make an example of him so that others would want to loyally serve Nebuchadnezzar too. Q: In Dan 3, what are some ways people try to play out what they think is their own destiny, - on their own terms? ‘A: People can see something as their destiny, fate, or God's choice for their life based on their talents and gifts, their circumstances, what others tell them, or just the opportunities they see, Adults do this, but high-schoolers and college students are told they must do this to decide their career, or sometimes the kind of spouse they want. Once they think that something is for them, they naturally might go through the following steps. Have an idea of what one or more successful outcomes would be. They want to first visualize and believe it, Then get others to believe their perceived destiny Take small steps to realize it while hedging their bets or "keeping their day job” Test the waters and see how things go so far. Sometimes they might "count the cost" and decide if the dedicated investment in time, money is worth the goal. ‘At some point take the leap, and go all in for it, realizing they are cutting off their other options. Then they either make it, or else go with a lesser, fallback option, or feel depressed because they completely failed and think they won't get another chance to try anything. Or, they realize that there will be other days and other opportunities and they keep trying, perhaps at the same thing, or at something else. The preceding might be a wise, natural way of accomplishing your goal, but notice that God has nothing to do with the preceding, Instead, why not start with prayer, and ask for God's leading on being successful on what God wants you to be, as well as keeping your eyes open for situations that would set you up for failure. Then pray for God's leading, and then you can do the preceding steps, asking for God's guidance and laglp each step of the way. Tianw Oi 13:1, why did Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image, since he recognized the true God in Dan 2:46-472 ‘A: While the book of Daniel does not imply either a short or long time interval between the vision and the statue, the two were likely related. The Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.831-832, points out that perhaps Nebuchadnezzar was trying to defy God's message given in the king's dream, that his kingdom would fall. hp www biblequery organ mt saassun017 Bible Query rom Darel Q: In Dan 3:1, why make such a narrow image of a man 90 feet tall by 9 feet wide? A: These were not necessarily the dimensions of the figure but of the statue. The sculpture probably was on a tall pedestal. Q: In Dan 3:2-3 (KJV), who were the sheriffs? A: The NASB, NIV, NET, NKJV, and NRSV Bible translations all translate the title of these Persian Officials as magistrates. Q: In Dan 3:12, since only three Jewish boys refused to bow to this bowed to the idol? ‘A: No, because in both Daniel 1 and Daniel 6, Daniel showed that he would not do things disobedient to God. Daniel and other godly Jews were not caught, because they were not present there. When Critics Ask p.294 also mentions that since Daniel was a government official, he could have been out of town on business at the time. lol, does that mean Dani Q: In Dan 3:17-18, were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego confident that God would save them, or did they have some uncertainty? Should we have confidence that God will always save us? ‘A: They had some uncertainty, as shown by verse 18. But even if God was not going to save them, they would rather die in the blazing fire than compromise by bowing to the statue. Q: In Dan 3:19, how did Nebuchadnezzar's attitude change so that he was “no more Mr. nice guy"? A: Before he thought he was kind to threaten them with being thrown into the fiery furnace, yet still give them one last chance, Now he no longer wanted to reason with them, but made the furnace hotter to make an example of them. In verse 22, it was so hot that even the soldiers throwing them in were burned up, but we have no indication that this even bothered Nebuchadnezzar at all. Many times kings and top leaders do not care about people, but about their position, and power derived fro their subordinates following them. Sometimes even leaders, who do care about people, can abandon their care if they are put in a defensive position Q: In Dan 3:19, how could the fire be seven times hotter? A: They could not measure the temperature of the fire. Rather, there were probably a number of air bellows used to feed oxygen to the fire, and seven (or seven times) as many were tumed on to Bépvide more heat. Long prior to this time, iron weapons were not very common because they could ffétemake furnaces hot enough. But by the time of the Babylonians (and even earlier Assyrians) they pilkhmrate furnaces that could melt and forge iron. Q: In Dan 3:25, who was the fourth man here? A; This is generally believed to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ Himself. While it could simply have been an angel, Nebuchadnezzar's comment that the fourth “is like a son of God" opens that possibility that it could be Christ. Early church writers who said this were Christ were Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, and Cyprian of Carthage Hippolytus (225-235/6 A.D.) in fragment 3 (Commentary on Daniel) ch.2.93 p.188 also mentions that hp twa biblequery organ mt saasor? Bb Query from Darel Jesus was in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, though Jesus was not yet born on earth of a virgin. After Nicea Hilary and Augustine of Hippo taught the same. Jerome thought it was not Christ, but rather just an angel who prefigured in type Christ. Q; In Dan 3:26, what is so strange about Nebuchadnezzar calling the Lord "the most not only here, but in Dan 2:47 calling Him the God of gods? ‘A: This is the same Nebuchadnezzar who set up the statute to worship in Daniel 3:1. Apparently it did not click in his mind that if there was a Most High God, then we should pay attention to what He says, and not worship other so-called gods. h God, Q: In Dan 3:30, what end result did the people who accused Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Dan 3:8 see? What is the number one reason who think God did that? A: They saw the three Jewish youths promoted. The number one reason was probably NOT as a reward to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It was probably that God's name be magnified, and if others heard abut the promotion, they might be more inclined to listen to the Most High God, Jews ‘especially, who might be tempted to drift away and assimilate, would be encouraged. Q; In Dan 4:1-3, is this before Nebuchadnezzar's experience, or after? : This is after Danie|'s experience, because this first person account by Nebuchadnezzar is from the letter Nebuchadnezzar wrote later. Q: In Dan 4:8-9,18, why did the king persist in calling Daniel Belteshazzar, and that the spirit of the “holy gods” is in him? ‘A: Daniel spoke that he served the Most High God (singular), but Nebuchadnezzar apparently heard that as Daniel served the gods (plural). Many times when we say things, and people say they believe us, they still iter what we say through their worldview, and re-interpret our words to fit their pre~ conceived ideas. Q: In Dan 4:10-17, why do you think God gave Nebuchadnezzar this dream? A: It would not have the same credibility in the king's eyes if the dream was given to Daniel or someone else. It was not given to Nebuchadnezzar because he was more spiritual, or better than Daniel, or because Nebuchadnezzar was godly at all. God giving it to the most appropriate person wes for God's purposes, and not due to any merit of Nebuchadnezzar. Oi Ban 4:13,23, what is a "watcher"? ‘A: This would be a type of angel. Jewish apocryphal literature also mentions angelic watchers, but they might have been written after Daniel. At the very least, the apocryphal literature shows that the Jews were familiar with the concept of a watcher class of angels. Q: In Dan 4:33.37, when did Nebuchadnezzar temporarily leave the throne because he went insane? ‘A: Daniel 4 says that twelve months after this dream, God finally dealt with Nebuchadnezzar’s pride hp twa biblequery organ mt winssor? Bt Query from Darel and fulfilled this prophecy. The Aramaic word here can mean “time or season” as well as "year". Thus, 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.195 points out that this might be less than two years rather than seven years. The Believer's Bible Commentary p.1080-1081,1092 adds that this mental condition is called boanthropy (meaning ox-man.) Dr. R. K, Harrison discusses a man he met with this condition in his Introduction to the Old Testament p.1114-1117 See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1343 and the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.1190 for more info. Q: In Dan 4:33-37, is there any extra-Biblical evidence that Nebuchadnezzar temporarily went insane? A: Perhaps. While the skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.605 says there is none, but The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 7 p.63 mentions an interesting Aramaic Dead Sea scroll fragment found at Qumran in cave 4. It is a prayer attributed to Nabonidus that says, "The words of the prayer which Nabunai(d), King of Assyria and Babylon, the great king, prayed when he was smitten with an unpleasant skin-disease by the ordinance of God Most High in the city of Teima: "| was smitten with an unpleasant skin-disease for seven years ... to the name of God Most High” (This conjectural translation, dependent on several restorations of missing letters, was published by J.T. Milik in Revue Biblique, 63 (1956): 408; cf. Saggs, Babylon, p.154 for the English version above.) The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 7 p.63 says this might be a late, partially legendary fragment, that either could contain a true account either of a skin disease of Nabonidus. But, it says, careful examination of the Nabonidus fragment shows that it is far more likely to have been a late, garbled tradition of the illness of Nebuchadnezzar himself, if indeed it does not represent a later illness that actually befell Nabonidus personally (whose ten years of confinement to the North Arabian city of Teima [Teman] may have been partly occasioned by the illness.)” The Expositor's Bible Commentary volume 1 p.246-247 says that the Prayer of Nabonidus is too mythical to be helpful, but adds that we still know of the madness of Nebuchadnezzar through Berossus, a third century Babylonians priest and historian, and the second century writer Abydenus, who said that Nebuchadnezzar was "possessed by some god or other", where he made a prophecy and disappeared from Babylon So, this evidence is certainly not conclusive, but it illustrates that the official Babylonian records and Greek history do not give all the details. Q: In Dan 4:33.37, could the idea of Nebuchadnezzar acting like an animal have from Assyrian statues of bulls with human heads and bird's wings, as the skeptical Asimov's Guide to the ible p.605 says is an attractive guess? Fe Not likely. First of all, humans with heads of bulls were known in ancient Egypt and Crete from the ‘teHi Moses. Second, these were Assyrian statues, not Babylonian. Daniel would have less reason to write something about an “animal-man", than Moses who lived in Egypt. Q: In Dan 5:1 and Dan 5:30, who was Belshazzar? A: The Greek historian Herodotus, writing only about 90 years after the fall of Babylon, never mentioned Belshazzar and explicitly said the last king was Nabonidus. Until the 20th century, that was the final word on the subject apart from the Bible. This would be one of the things Christians would have to accept that there would be an explanation someday, without knowing the explanation. However, in the 20th century archaeologists have found a cuneiform table, called the "Persian Verse Areaiint nf Nahanidie" Ralchazzar wae tha firetham enn af Nahanidiie and after hie firet thras vaare hpi biblequery organ mt 6assuz017 Bible Query rom Darel AVUIMUD, a11Y AKOF tHe WoL WHEE yoaIs of rule (553 B.C.), Nabonidus went into voluntary exile for ten years in Tema in Arabia, and Nabonidus appointed Belshazzar as the ruler, Significantly, when the Persians conquered Babylon, Nabonidus was not even there; he was in Tema in the northern part of modem Saudi Arabia. When Critics Ask p.209 concludes on this, "Since Belshazzar was the subordinate of Nabonidus, his name was forgotten, because the ancient Babylonian and Greek historians were primarily interested in the reigns of the official kings. Danie's record has proven to be amazingly accurate.” Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.286 mentions an “inscription of Nabunaid” uncovered at Ur. This is likely the same as the "Persian Verse Account of Nabonidus". Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.286 also adds that other cuneiform documents say how Belshazzar presented sheep and oxen offerings at the temples of Sippar as “an offering of the king." Now Herodotus is considered generally to be very accurate. If Belshazzar's co-regency (under Nabonidus) was so insignificant that Herodotus, writing 90 years later, overlooked it, how could anyone expect the book of Daniel to naturally get this correct, unless Daniel were written at this time? Since Daniel knew more about this than Herodotus, is it simply amazing that some liberal scholars in the late Twentieth century still considered Daniel as a second century book. See 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered p.193 for more on this. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.606 does not mention these details, except it says that Belshazzar (Bel-shar-utsur meaning “Bel, protect the king") was the firstborn son of Nabonidus. See also Bible Difficulties and Seeming Contradictions p.65-66, the New Geneva Study Bible p.1339- 1340, and the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.1170-1171 for more info. Q: In Dan 5:1, what was the political climate in which Daniel was living at this time? ‘A: After Nebuchadnezzar of previous chapters died in 562 B.C., there were troubled times. Historians actually call this empire the Neo-Babylonian Empire, to distinguish it from the past Empire under Hammurapi. Here are the kings 627-605 B.C. Nabopolassar (Nabu-apal-usur) 605-Aug/Sept/562 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar II (Nabu-kudurri-usur) 562-August 560 B.C. Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk) Nebuchadnezzar's son (assassinated) 560-556 B.C. Neriglissar (Nergal-Sharezer) Nebuchadnezzar's son-in-law May-June 556 B.C (2 months) Labashi-Marduk (assassinated) 556-539 B.C, Nabonidus (Nabu-na‘ia) 553- October 11 or 12/539 B.C. Belshazzar (Bel-shar-usur) (co-regent) October 11 or 12.539 B.C. Persian governor Ugbar of Gutium captures Babylon According to the Greek historian Herodotus (1:191) the way they captured it was ingenious. They built @Jarge "lake" to temporarily divert the water of the Euphrates River. Then at night, they waded under {fiewall where the Euphrates River was and surprised the Babylonians, who were feasting. Spyithe ew International Bible Commentary p.848 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1344-1345 for more info. Q: In Dan 5:1, why in the world would the Babylonians feast at a banquet, with vast Medeo- Persian army outside the walls? ‘A: Perhaps it was general pride in their defenses, or else a sudden “in your face" show of bravado. The city wall was massive, and part of the wall was (seemingly) impossible to attack because the Euphrates River flowed under it. The city was built to hold food supplies for 20 years. Also Nabonidus' mother was a high priestess of the moon god at Haran. He restored many temples, including the temple at Haran to the moon god, Sin. So perhaps one reason for taking out the vessels hp twa biblequery organ mt 6assuz017 Bible Query rom Darel trom the lempie in Jerusalem was to snow the superiority of their gods. A related reason mignt nave been to undo the influence of Nebuchadnezzar, promoting the God of Daniel Q: In Dan 5:1-5, why do you think God choose to miraculously write on the wall, and announce their fate, at exactly this time? A: Two reasons. First, they were using expensive things given to God's temple to praise pagan gods. Second and perhaps related, that night they would be slain by the Persians. The Persians by the way, took over Babylon, but did not destroy Babylon until years later. Q: In Dan 5:1-5, what promise or prophesy did God fulfill by having the writing on the wall? A: In Jeremiah 27:21-22, God said the holy vessels would be stored in Babylon, until the day He visited the vessels, and then they would be returned to Jerusalem. The Babylonians did not get much chance to use them though, before the writing on the wall appeared. Q: In Dan 5:2, where did the gold goblets originally come from? ‘A: Solomon made a lot of gold and silver for the Lord's Temple about 950 B.C... The interesting thing about gold is that even if you bury it in the ground, it does not tarnish or corrode. We don't know if they took the silver goblets from the temple, and the silver was protected from tamishing, or if the silver goblets were not from the temple, On the other hand, while the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Theodotion all say gold and silver goblets, the Aramaic only says gold goblets. Q: In Dan 5:29b, was it unusual that there would be a third ruler in the kingdom? A: No, both Assyrian and Babylonian inscriptions mention having a third ruler in the kingdom. The “third ruler" might be like a vizier, or "manager" under the king and his successor. Having a deeper line of succession woud also be safer if the top two kings got killed suddenly. See the New International Bible Commentary p.858 for more info. Q; In Dan 5:10, why would the "queen" introduce Daniel? A; Belshazzar did not think to do this, which indicates he did not have much association with Daniel, and did not value his advice. This is 23 years after Nebuchadnezzar's death, so Daniel was much older now. The "queen" here might have been the queen mother, perhaps a wife of Nebuchadnezzar, who remembered Daniel and brought him, ii Bai 5:25-28, could the guests read the writing on the wall? A: The four words were written in Aramaic, and Aramaic was widely spoken in Babylonia as well as Persia, so probably all those who could read could read the words. However, deciphering this riddle was another story. Q: In Dan 5:25-28, what is the meaning of Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin? A: Scholars are unsure of the meaning of these Aramaic words. There are three possibilities, and a play on words could include more than one. a) They are words that referred to money. The mina, shekel, and half-mina were common coins. The Wycliffe Dictionary of Biblical Archaeology p.170 has a picture of a one mina weight from the time of hp twa biblequery organ mt smassun017 Bible Query rom Darel Nevucrauneccar, b) They meant numbered, numbered, weighted, and divisions. ¢) "u" in upharsin can mean "and. pharsin is the plural of peres, which would sound like their word for Persian The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.607 gives essentially the same answer. See the New International Dictionary of the Bible p.640 for more info. Q: In Dan 5:25-28, how did the writing on the wall help Daniel? ‘A: Many people would certainly hear that Daniel predicted the Persians would defeat the Babylonians. A speculation is that if the Persians heard of this, they would be favorably impressed with Daniel, and they would be more likely to retain Daniel as a high official. Q: In Dan 5:29, why was Daniel made the third highest ruler and not the second? A: Belshazzar could not offer Daniel anything higher, as Nabonidus was the highest ruler, and Belshazzar himself was the second. Q: In Dan 5:30, what is a list of Babylonian kings? istorians actually call this empire the Neo-Babylonian Empire, to distinguish it from the past Empire under Hammurapi. Here are the kings. 627-605 B.C. Nabopolassar (Nabu-apal-usur) 605-Aug/Sept./562 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar |! (Nabu-kudurri-usur) 562-560 B.C. Evil-Merodach (Amel-Marduk) Nebuchadnezzar's son ‘560-556 B.C. Neriglissar (Nergal-Sharezer) Nebuchadnezzar's son-in-law 556 B.C (2 months) Labashi-Marduk 556-539 B.C. Nabonidus (Nabu-na'ia) 553-10/12/539 B.C, Belshazzar (Bel-shar-usur) (co-regent) See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1326 for more info. @ In Dan 5:30-51 and Dan 9:1, what is the difference between a Mede and a Persian? Fe'This question is more complicated than it first appears. Three points to consider in the answer. ‘gTagMedes and Persians were two distinct but related peoples, The Medes were very closely related to the Scythians and lived in central Iran, while the Persians lived in ancient Elam in southwestem Iran. The two peoples were always closely allied together, with the Medes being the dominant partner. This changed under Cyrus (a Persian who was one-fourth Mede), when he defeated his Median grandfather Astyges in 625 B.C... From then on, the Persians had the dominant role, and Herodotus 3.91-96 says the Medes had to pay the annual tax to the Persian Empire. 2. However, Herodotus 1.135 also says the Persians adopted Median dress. "As Widengren notes, ‘both Medes and Persians were often called simply Medes by the Greeks, and this usage evidently dates from the first contact between Greeks in lonia and Iranians of the west." The Persians were known as Medes down to the age of Demosthenes (fourth century B.C.).” (Persia and the Bible p.56- 57) 3. In the Bible, they were considered collectively as one people, "Medes and Persians", in Daniel 6:8.12.15. and "Persians and Medes" in Esther 1:3.14, Persia and the Bible 0.57 also savs that both hp twa biblequery orden amt 10assun2017 Bible Query " in Isaiah 13:17ff and Jeremiah 51:11,28). were termed just "Medes' Q: In Dan 5:30-6:1 and Dan 9:1 very briefly, who was Darius the Mede? ‘A: Most think he was the first governor of Babylon, named Gubaru, though some think it was Cyrus himself. The reason it says Darius is either: a) a manuscript copyist error, b)a throne name for Cyrus, or c) the Jews did not have a good transliteration for "Gubaru". See the next question for a more extensive answer. Q: In Dan 5:30. ; Dan 9:1 who was this Darius the Mede? ‘A: First are some historical facts, then some Biblical observations, and finally the three views. 1. Historical Facts 4.1 The Medes' history is reconstructed exclusively from Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Greek sources, since no Medean writing has been found. The careful Greek historian Herodotus noted that he had heard four different accounts of the childhood of Cyrus. Ctesias was another Greek historian, but he was not very reliable. 1.2 In 625 B.C., the Medes conquered the Persians, and the Medes ruled over them until 553 B.C. 1.3 From 553 to 550 B.C., the Persian Cyrus the Great revolted, and succeeded with the help (in 550 B.C.) of the Medean chief Harpagus. The Medes still had the highest position after the Persians, and as the 1956 and 1972 editions of Encyclopedia Britannica say, "many noble Medes were employed as officials, satraps and generals." 1.4 Astyages (Medean I8tuegu) was the Medean King Cyrus overthrew in 550 B.C... The historian Ctesias says that Cyrus treated Astyages well, and made him a satrap of Barcania or Hyrcania, but Oebares (Babylonian Ugbaru) killed Astyages. 1.5 In the Persian Empire, Medea was one of the 20 satrapies of the Persian Empire, but it was. divided into two parts for taxation purposes. As a side note the 20 satrapies were subdivided into 120 districts, which were also sometimes called satrapies, but were more properly hyparchs. 1.6 Ugbaru, the Babylonian governor of Gutium (according to the Nabonidus Chronicle), defected to the Persians and became general of the Persian army that overthrew Babylon on 10/11 or 10/12 539 B.C. He died 11/6/539 B.C., almost a month later. While we do not know his ancestry, the liberal Aachor Bible Dictionary vol.2 p.39 points out that Babylonians used the word Gutium to refer to the Northeast, and the Medes were in the northeast part of the Persian Empire. It also mentions that the t Statia Berossus lists Gutium with the tyrants of the Medes 4.7 Cyrus himself was with other troops at Opis when Babylon was captured, and Cyrus did not enter Babylon until 10/29/539 B.C. Cyrus was said to be the grandson of Astyages, through Astyages' daughter Mandane. However, the Wycliffe Bible Dictionary p.424 point out that this was not the Persian Emperor, because Darius here was "made king". Of course Daniel was called a "king" too in Daniel 5:29, and he was not an emperor. 1.8 Gubaru/Gaubaruwa (whom Xenophon the Greek confused with Ugbaru), was appointed the governor of Babylonia for a year or two by Cyrus. 4.9 Darius |, the son of Hystaspes/Vishtaspa, was a Persian (not a Mede) who became King in 522 B.C., after Cyrus and the false Bardiya reigned. Darius | was involved in putting down a revolt in Babylon in 520 B.C., 19 years after Persia conquered Babylon. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties P.287 points out that he was in his twenties when he began his rule, not 62 years old. The liberal Anchor Bible Dictionary vol.2 p.39 says that his inscriptions say "I am a Persian, son of a Persian" 4.40 In tha anclant uineld Bharanhe and inne aftan had thelr hirth.ivan nama anda carnnd name hp twa biblequery organ mt saaQuery trom Daria ssun017 Bit MSH UNM, F HaraUnS ane nInTys UIE given when they ascended the throne. 1.11 The Persian word Darius "Darayawush/Dareyawaes" is related to the Persian word dara which means king. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.288 says this might be title as well as just a proper name, The liberal Anchor Bible Dictionary p.39 also points out that darayarahu means "He who holds firm the good". This is the reason for the theory that Darius was a throne name. 4.12 Within a year or two of the capture, Cyrus made his son Cambyses governor of Babylon, replacing Gubaru. 4.13 In the Old Testament there are a number of copyist errors, especially on numbers and names. For example, the Greek version of Proto-Theodotion says "Artaxerxes", and not "Darius" in Daniel 6:1. In particular, there are a number of additions to the Greek translation (Septuagint) in the book of Daniel. Jerome mentions that while the early church generally used the Septuagint, they did not use the Septuagint of the book of Daniel, but rather the Greek version of Theodotion. Apparently, they saw too many problems with the Septuagint in Daniel. 1.14 All our "Hebrew" copies of Daniel have the middle section of Daniel, 2:4b-7:28, written in Aramaic, not Hebrew. Either it was originally written in Aramaic, or it was translated from an earlier Hebrew manuscript. 2. Biblical Observations The Darius in Daniel was a Mede, 62 years old, who had 120 administration districts under him. He was the son of Ahasuerus. He could make decrees, and he was worshipped. In Daniel 6:6, he was called a king. From Daniel 9:1, this Darius, was emphasized to be a Mede, not the Persian Darius. Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.287 mentions that the usual work malak means became king, but the word here homiak, which is a passive and means made king. The liberal Anchor Bible Dictionary vol. 2 p.39 also points this out. Thus a higher ruler made him ruler. Also, the phrase “all the earth" could be translated as “all the land’. 3. Identity of Darius the Mede Since Darius was the one who took over Babylon, there are three choices, 3.1 Cyrus: This was really Cyrus, and the incorrect name was transcribed, similar to how in Jeremiah 27:1 Jehoiakim was incorrectly transcribed in a majority of Hebrew manuscripts when both the context and other manuscripts show it was Zedekiah. While Cyrus was a Persian, his mother, Mandane, was a Mede and the daughter of Astyages, and the Persian chief Cambyses. Either he really was a quarter Mede and a grandson of the previous king, or else he just claimed to be to keep the support of the Medes. 321.1 Since many kings had throne names, Cyrus might have had a throne name of Darius the Mede. Baniel 6:28 could be translated as "reign of Darius, “even the” reign of Cyrus the Persian" This view is eQ'ogated by D.J. Wiseman, and John F. Walvoord speaks well ofthis view in Daniel : The Key fo Prophetic Interpretation p.134. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1347 also mentions this view but prefers the Gubaru view that follows. Other examples of synonyms or throne names being used in the Bible are: Joram for Jehoram (2 Kings 8:23) Jehoash for Joash (2 Kings 12:1) Coniah for Jeconiah (Jeremiah 22:9) Shallum for Jehoahaz (Jeremiah 22:11, 2 Kings 23:30-34) 3.1.2 Cyrus did not have the throne name of Darius. The name Darius got in here as a copyist error, confusing Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon in 539 B.C. with Darius’ conquest of Babylon in 522 B.C. 3.2 Gubaru is mentioned here, since Cyrus appointed him the governor of Babylon, as When Critics Ask p.295 espouses. However, we have no historical record saying whether or not Gubaru was a Mede. Either Darius was how the Hebrews would refer to Gubaru, or else a confused Hebrew scribe put in the name Darius. While Gubaru was replaced by Cambyses after a year or two, Daniel never bp www biblequery orden mt ais yIVeH Hanis, anu @ seuurE Harissor? Bb Query from Darel mentions anytning beyond the tirst year. Governors could be caed “kings”, because the Kenistun Rock says that Hystaspes was "made king” by Cyrus, as Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.287-288 says. 3.3 (not an answer) Darius here some might think might really be Darius | (a Persian), and there would be a 19-year gap between the Babylonians being overthrown in Daniel 5:30, and Darius mentioned at the end, However, this is highly unlikely because the book especially notes that this Darius was a Mede. Furthermore, no Bible verse says this Darius was over all the Medes and Persians, but rather that he was made king over just the Babylonians. In summary: Since the third view is unlikely, the person intended here is either $1. Gubaru, the first governor of Babylon under Cyrus, or 82. Cyrus. Either Darius was a throne name for Cyrus, or the scribes had a manuscript error, where it should have said Cyrus. Copyist errors and changes are not unknown in the Old Testament, and the Septuagint of the book of Daniel has a number of known changes. Q: In Dan 5:31, when was Babylon captured? A: Archaeologists believe it was the night of October 11 or 12, 539 B.C.. However, itis important to note that Babylon was not destroeyd until many years later. Q: In Dan 5:31; 6:1, 9:1, how do you pronounce “Darius' ‘A: The Cruden’s Concordance and The New International Dictionary of the Bible p.254 have da-Rl-us, with the a and u short, the i long, and the accept on the second syllable. Hebrews would pronounce it daryawesh, and Greeks pronounced it Darious. Now a Mede or Persian would pronounce Darius’ name similar to "Darayawush / Dareyawaes’. Q: In Dan 6:1, who were the 120 princes? A: They were not sons of Darius, but rather 120 administrators. There were 20 provinces, called satraps, but they were subdivided into 120 districts, sometimes also called satraps, though really “hyparchs". These people were not generals of armies but accountants, “that the king might not suffer loss." Imagine having someone who was not only wise, but you knew you could trust to have integrity ‘zen when you were not watching him. The king probably would have greatly valued Daniel, and that i why he was one of the top three accounting officials. Ql Q: In Dan 6:1-5, why were the princes out to get Daniel? ‘A: Perhaps for two reasons. Jealousy: Daniel was an outsider, a Jew, who was suddenly promoted above them. Cold-hearted Practicality: Even if they did not have any hatred or ill feelings toward Daniel, some unscrupulous people have no qualms about eliminating rivals in order to get ahead. So the first thing they did was engage in a “fishing expedition”. Since many officials had corruption, they could simply go exploring to discover Danie''s corruption and expose it. Perhaps they thought that selectively exposing Daniel's corruption or negligence, though not other officials, was all they had to do. When they unexpectedly discovered that they could find none, in verse 5 they went with "plan B", and looked for something in God's law. Not everyone who looks into God's word is doing so for good motives. Q: In Dan 6:1.6.7 (KJV). who were the presidents? hp www biblequery organ mt 2sQuery trom Darvel ssu2017 Bit A; These were the three people set over the 120 satraps. Daniel was one of these three officials. Q: In Dan 6:6-9, how did they get all these officials throughout the empire to agree to this? A: They did not. Perhaps they predicted the other officials would acquiesce to this demand. Note that if a typical pagan official agreed with suggesting this decree, he would have no idea that the whole point of this was to get Daniel and possibly other Jews. Alternately, perhaps they never would have got agreement at all and knew they misrepresented that they would even be able to get agreement. Also note that they told Darius a lie when they said the officials have "all" agreed. Daniel would not have agreed Q: In Dan 6:6-9, why would Darius make this decree that they could not pray to any god or man for thirty days? A: While scripture does not say, we can speculate on a few reasons. Rubber stamp: Darius was told (perhaps falsely) that all the other administrators agreed with this. (They certainly did not all agree, as Daniel did not.) Since Darius trusted his people, he merely signed what they said, Empire Cohesion: A large and powerful group of subjects, the Babylonians, were until recently independent and fighting the Persian Empire, This would reinforce to both the Babylonians and the former subjects of the Babylonian Empire that they were no longer under the Babylonians but now the Persians. So they would have to stop worshipping Marduk, or other Babylonian gods for thirty days, because the Persians would be considered greater since they can command the halt of worship of other gods. Of course those who refused would be unmasked as traitors and dealt with. Vain pride: Darius would be honored, not only that people were worshipping and praying to him, but they would not be praying to anyone else for thirty days. Q: In Dan 6:6-9, is there any archaeological evidence for this thirty-day decree? ‘A: No, but this is something King Darius probably would not desire to have remembered either. @ In Dan 6:10, should we always kneel or do another posture when praying? Fe'No and Yes. No, the Bible does not command us to have any particular posture when praying Spypalimes people prayed Kneeling (Ezra 9:5-6; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:59-60; Ephesians 3:14) On their face (Genesis 17:17,18; Joshua 6:7-9; Matthew 26:39) Kneeling or face on the ground (Mark 14:35) Standing (Genesis 18:22-23; 24:11-13; Nehemiah 9:4-5) Sitting (2 Samuel 7:18; 1 Kings 19:4) Lying down on their bed (2 Kings 20:2) Unable to change their position (Judges 16:28; Nehemiah 2:3-4; Jonah 2:1; Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Luke 23:46). However, yes we are free to assume whatever posture is conducive to the prayer we are praying. See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.235 for more info. Q: In Dan 6:10, is it good to have a set time for prayer? A: Yes. While nothing in the Bible says we have to have any specific set time, many have found it helpful to have a set time, Consistent prayer takes discipline, and having a set time can help with that. hp twa biblequery organ mt 2sssun2017 Bible Query rom Darel See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.455 for more info. Q: In Dan 6:10 should we pray towards Jerusalem? Will God hear our prayers better if we pray in a certain direction? ‘A: In New Testament times the direction towards which we pray does not matter. In the Old Testament there is not a command to pray towards Jerusalem, or towards the temple, but perhaps Danie! was thinking of Solomon's prayer where He specifically asked God to hear those who prayed towards the temple and towards Jerusalem in 1 Kings 8:29,42,44,48. God spoke and answered Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 9:3-9 in an encouraging, positive way, but God did not say anything about hearing prayers better facing any direction. In fact, God said though the temple looked very imposing, the day will ‘come when people will be appalled at the temple site. Q: In Dan 6:10-11, what would you do if you wanted to honor God in something, when continuing to do so would mean financial loss, embarrassment, or worse? : would try to see if there was a way to continue to do a thing and not suffer loss. However, not only should Christians not be evil, they should avoid the appearance of evil. In the days of the early church, Christians were commanded to sacrifice to the Emperor as a God. Many Christians chose torture and death over idolatry. But others were weak and sinned by sacrificing. If someone paid a bribe so that they did not have to sacrifice but the bribed public official said that they did, they were still dishonoring God by having the appearance of sinning by sacrificing Q: In Dan 6:10-11, should Daniel have bought curtains? Metaphorically, when should we buy curtains today? And what about praying in secret? ‘A: Praying in secret, away from unbelievers is good, but Jesus command to pray in secret in the New Testament (Matthew 6:5-8) not the Old, and the New Testament was not given yet. Curtains would not have done any good, because the men already knew that he prayed, and they would have just come to see him anyway, as they did in Daniel 6:11 @ In Dan 6:12, what were these lions like? Fentil people hunted them to extinction, lions roamed the Mideast. Many people, especially the /eyuiiane and Persians, were fond of hunting them. Samson killed a lion in Israel in Judges 14:5. An interesting article titled Asia's Last Lions is in The National Geographic Magazine June 2001 p.46-61 Asiatic lions were somewhat smaller than African lions, have shorter manes, and have a fold of skin on their undersides that African lions lack. Their range was from north central India through Iraq, all the way to Greece, Bulgaria, and Albania. Q; In Dan 6:14, why would it say Darius tried to rescue Daniel, since in Dan 6:16 the king ordered Daniel thrown into the lion's den? A: Because both are true. Here was a powerful non-believer, who probably thought of himself as a good and just leader, who generally wanted to help Daniel, but his allegiance to following the customs was greater than his allegiance to doing what was right. Today there are many people who often want to do what is right, but their custom or precedent is the ultimate standard, and is more important than their conscience of following God. Q: In Dan 6:24, was it not cruel to cast the men’s wives and children to the lions too? hp twa biblequery organ mt 2sssco17 Bt Query from Darel A: INe Bible does not say the Persians were never cruel, oF that they always did the correct thing However, compared to the Assyrians, who gloried in torture, the Persians appeared kind. Q: Dan 7 occurred prior to Dan 6. Why do you think the order is this way? A: The previous chapters all had to do with Daniel's life. These are visions that do not have any interaction with Daniel's life. This vision occurred around 556-553 B.C. Q: In Dan 7:2, what do the winds of heaven represent? Why are there four winds and not just one? ‘A: Four winds would be blowing in different directions, making the sea more agitated. The four winds could be the spirits behind the four empires. The Expositors Bible Commentary vol.7 p.85 says the four winds are kept under control, until their release, by four angels in Revelation 9:14. However, there is scant evidence for this. Q: In Dan 7:2, what does the sea represent? ‘A: The sea likely represents the throng of humanity. The Expositor's Bible Commentary vol.7 p.85 says the same. Q: In Dan 7:3-7,17-19, what are the four beasts? : Daniel 7:17 says these are four kings or kingdoms. They are Babylon, Medeo-Persia, Greece / Macedonia, and the Roman Empire. Here is how they fit the imagery. Lion with eagle wings: Creatures appearing like winged lions covered the magnificent-looking Ishtar Gate in Babylon, which Nebuchadnezzar II built in 575 B.C.. Also, the facade of Nebuchadnezzar's throne room in the Verderasiatisches Museum in Berlin shows lions originally painted in yellow, white, blue, and red. A picture of this is in the book Babylon by Joan Oates p.150. Babylon was referred to as a lion Jeremiah 4:7. Babylon's horses were swifter than eagles in daremiah 4:13. Babylon and Egypt were both referred to as eagles in Ezekiel 17:3,7. Later, the Babylonians treated the Jews well, when Daniel was in the court. Habakkuk 1:8-9 is not relevant here, éptimgBa>ylonian horses are compared to leopards and wolves, as well as eagles. Bear raised on one side: The Medeo-Persian Empire had two parts, with the Persian side being dominant. Leopard with four wings and four heads: Though a leopard is the fastest large land animal, reaching speeds of 60 miles (97 km) per hour, a leopard with four wings would be even faster. Alexander the Macedonian conquered the entire Persian Empire and parts of even India ina breathtaking thirteen years. After his death, the empire was divided up among his four generals. While the leopard of Africa was not a typical symbol of the Greeks, no other predatory animal could represent the speed of Alexander's conquests any better. Iron-toothed beast: The fourth beast was different, had horns, and was arrogant. The Roman Emperors had themselves declared as gods, and even had annual sacrifices made to them. In addition, many see a dual fulfillment of this prophecy, with the Antichrist coming from a revived Roman Empire. The skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.640 claims the leopard was the Persian Empire, its four heads were four kings known to Daniel, and the fourth beast was Alexander's Empire. Asimov says this because Asimov tries to separate the Median Empire from the Persian Empire. However, the Medes, aside from assisting the Babylonians in destroying Assyria, fighting the Scythians, and mernina with the Persians had no other indanendent effect an world history hp tw biblequery organ mt 2488See The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1350-1351, the Believer's Bible Commentary p.1082-1083, and 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.290-291 for more info. Q; In Dan 7:3-7,17-19, instead of the Roman Empire, does the fourth beast represent the ideal Jewish state, as the skeptical Asimov's Guide to the Bible p.610-611 says seems more likely? ‘A: No. Unless Asimov thinks the Jews thought an ideal Jewish state was a terrible, evil thing, Asimov is very confused here. Daniel 7:7 says, "...before me was a fourth beast - terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crush and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left... it had ten horns." In Daniel 7:11 (NIV) says, "...| kept looking until the [fourth] beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire.” It is God who kills the fourth beast, so this fourth beast certainly is not a godly state, Q; In Dan 7:5, what do the three ribs represent? A: There are three different views, Preceding Persia were three kingdoms: Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon. Technically Persia did not conquer Assyria, because Assyria was already absorbed in the Babylonian Empire, which Persia conquered. Conquered by Persia were three Empires: Egyptian, Babylonian, and Lydian. Most Empires up to this time conquered only one preceding Empire, However, Persia conquered three. Tusks instead of ribs is how the NRSV translates this. However, the preceding two answers could apply to the tusks, so this is somewhat of a moot point. Conclusion: Since the ribs were in the bear’s mouth, it had to be three kingdoms "eaten" by the bear. Thus, Egypt, Babylon, and Lydia are the correct interpretation. Q: In Dan 7:7-9, 20,24, what are the ten horns? A; Daniel 10:24 tells us these are kings. The last king may be the Antichrist in the revived Roman pire. Ten horns on a scarlet beast are discussed in Revelation 17:3,12-14. Pil Sau 7:9, when the Ancient of Days came, why would thrones (plural) be set in place? A: Multiple thrones for the Father, and the Son of Man. However, "the court of was seated in Daniel 7:10b, so it would be elders and perhaps even us, who judge angels. Q: Why is Dan 7:13-14 a good verse to share with Jews and Jehovah's Witnesses? ‘A: It mentions the Ancient of Days (the Father), and one like the Son of man coming to the ancient of days, then authority given to the son of man, and people properly worshipping Him. This refers to Jesus Christ. Q: In Dan 7:16; 9:21 who is Gabriel? A; Gabriel is the archangel who was a messenger to Daniel, and later a messenger to Mary the mother of Christ in Luke 1:19,26. See 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.65 for more info. Q: In Dan 7:25, what is time oppression of the saints for a time, times, and half a time? A; This is the same as the three and a half year period of half of the tribulation in Daniel 9:27 and Ravalatinn 14:2: 49-8 14 hp twa biblequery organ mt 2688ssun017 Bible Query rom Darel Q;: In Dan 8:2, where is Shushan? A; This used to be the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Elam, which is in the southwest part of modern Iran. It is close to the later capital of the Persian Empire. Q: In Dan 8:2,16, where is the Ulai River? A: Today we would call it a canal instead of a natural river. It ran north-south just west of the city of Susa (Shushan), according to The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1124. Q: In Dan 8:3-4, what is the ram? A: This represents the Empire of Medeo-Persia. The longer hom that came up later was Persia, the dominant part of the Empire, See the Believer's Bible Commentary p.1084 and The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1355-1356 say the same. Q: Why would Dan 8:5 refer to the Empire of Alexander of Macedon as a goat? A; Scripture does not say. However, a myth in Alexander's time was that Alexander had two hos growing out of his head to show his semi-divine status. Q: In Dan 8:8, why did the four horns grow towards the four winds of heaven? A: These are the four generals of Alexander who took over his empire after his death. Cassander got Macedonia, Lysimachus got Thrace and Asia Minor, Seleucus got Syria, Mesopotamia and Persia, and Ptolemy got Egypt @ In Dan 8:9-11, is the little horn the same as the little horn of Dan 7:8? FR'No, because the hor in Daniel 8:9-11 grow out of the third empire, not the fourth, Both the Sp 'gapids and Romans had rulers intent on destroying God's people. Q: In Dan 8:9-11, why did the I horns? ‘A: The little horn would be the Seleucid king, Antiochus Epiphanes. He was not actually a descendant of Seleucus. Antiochus Epiphanes is definitely referred to here, but this could also be a dual prophecy, with the second fulfillment being during the Tribulation. le horn grow out, instead of just a part of one of the other Q: In Dan 8:13-17, could the 2,300 evenings and mornings be a prophecy the 2,300 years from the decree of Artaxerxes [allegedly 457 B.C,] to the manifestation of the Bab in 1844 A.D, as Baha'is claim? (Some Answered Questions p.40-42) A: No, there are four problems with this. Wrong type of years: 1844 (A.D.) + 457 (B.C.) -1 (no 0 A.D.) = 2300 (365.25 day years). However, prophetic years in the Bible are 360-day religious years, no 365.25 day years. Wrong duration: 2,300 is evenings and mornings, and nothing in Daniel says "evenings and mornings" are years. Wrong starting point: The decree was in the 20th year of the reign of Artaxerxes according to Nehemiah 2, so the starting point was 445/444 B.C., not 457 B.C.. 457 B.C was merely a decree from bp ww biblequery orden mt 208ssun017 Bible Query rom Daviel Artaxerxes confirming Cyrus’ earlier decree that the Jews could return to Jerusalem. Wrong ending point: If you look at the rest of the words, not just the numbers, 2,300 evenings and mornings is the time when the sanctuary was brought low until the sanctuary is reconsecrated. Bahalis would have to mean that God's sanctuary was trampled and brought low when this Persian named Artaxerxes became king; it remained low through the time of Jesus until the Bab. Conclusion: The only things Baha'u'llah got wrong were the duration, starting point, and ending point, In other words, everything! Q: In Dan 8:16; 9:21 and Dan 10:13,21; 12:1, what is interesting about the names Gabriel and Michael? A; Daniel is the only Old Testament book where angels are named. Of course, both Gabriel and Michael appear in the New Testament too. Gabriel is in Luke 1:19,26, and Michael is in Jude 9 and Revelation 12:7. Q; In Dan 8:17, why is Daniel called the Son of Man? A; This simply means that Daniel was a human, a son of Adam. The Son of Man also refers to Christ too. In Daniel 7:13-14 this Son of Man, (Jesus Christ) received worship. Q: In Dan 8:23.25, why would God allow this? ‘A: This sounds very catastrophic. The rebels have become completely wicked, there will be astounding devastation, destroying the mighty men and the holy people. The king will not just allow deceit, but cause it to prosper. Furthermore, this prophecy knows that God knew all of this and allowed it to happen Qi In Dan 8:27, why was Daniel “appalled” at the vision? Fe@anie| was so overwhelmed by the devastation of this vision, that with the stress he fell il. While tyre does not say why Daniel was so shocked, we can see the probable reasons. This vision and the others showed that God was in control of history. But even so, Daniel was appalled at the terrible things that would happen, both to God's people and God's sanctuary. Since God was in control of history, why would God allow this to happen? Today it is possible that we could get appalled at what God permits to happen. But we need to remember that God knows what He is doing, - better than we do. Q: In Dan 9:1, who was Darius the Mede? A; See the discussion on Daniel 5:30-6:1 for the answer. Q: In Dan 9:2, what was the 70 years of the destruction of Jerusalem? A: The seventy years, would be 360-day years, This is almost exactly 69 of our years, This was from 605/604 B.C. to 538/537 B.C. See the discussion on Jeremiah 29:10 for more info. Q; In Dan 9:4-19, how does Daniel's prayer of corporate confession compare with Neh 1:5-117 A: Here are seven common elements, 1. Both prayed in regards to what they saw should have been happening but was not. In Nehemiah's case it was the external event of the city not being built, and in Danie!'s case it was the internal event pve Bilequry organ hen zsssun2017 Bible Query rom Darel of the 70 years of Jeremiah being almost over. 2. Both fasted and mourned - Daniel in sackcloth and ashes, and Nehemiah not, presumably because he was the cupbearer to the king, 3. Both start out mentioning God's greatness and his covenant of mercy. 4, Both intermix the sins of the people with God's just punishment. 5. Both mention not obeying the law of Moses. 6. All Christians know that we should pray prayers of confession, but there are different types of prayers of confession. These were both confession for the people as a whole. These were from a “historical confession" as opposed to an “emotional confession" as in Jeremiah. Their historical confession stresses what they did, God's just punishment, what they did next, etc. 7. Both conclude with asking God to do something, Daniel asks that God turn His anger away from Jerusalem, while Nehemiah merely asked that God make the king favorable toward his request. Q; In Dan 9:23, how did this vision answer Daniel's question? ‘A: Daniel prayed that the people would return and Jerusalem would be rebuilt as God promised in Jeremiah 25:11-14. God not only repeated to Daniel that this would happen, God told him some of the details of then, and the how the exact timing of that would lay the groundwork for a future time when the Messiah would come. Q: In Dan 9:24-27, how does this refer to the Messiah? : In Daniel 9:25,26, the word “anointed one" is recognized by both Jews and Christians as the Messiah. See Hard Sayings of the Bible p.318-320 for more info. Qj In Dan 9:24.27, since the New Testament writers quoted old testament prophecies as Gvidence that Jesus was the Messiah, why do none of them refer to one of the most amazing of ssianic prophecies, Dan. 9:24-277 : While | do not know for certain why the gospel writers did not refer to Daniel 9:24-27, | have a guess. They predominantly wrote on what Jesus said Himself. Jesus might not have publicly mentioned that prophecy because He would not want to give the false impression that they were in God's will to crucify Him, or that they were forced to do this because of a prophecy. It was their own responsibility that they crucified Him, and the prophecy that announced that fact did not lessen their guilt Q; In Dan 9:24-27, what are the seventy weeks? A; Here is what they are, when they started, and when they were fulfilled. 1. These are seventy weeks of years, If the "weeks/sevens" were weeks of days, it would be incredible to say that people would rebuild the entire city in 42 workdays. Here is what Jews themselves said about the "sevens", when this prophecy should come to pass, and how it relates to the Messiah. 1a, Maimonides (Rabbi Moses Ben Maimon): "Daniel has elucidated to us the knowledge of the end times. However, since they are secret, the wise [rabbis] have barred the calculation of the days of Messiah's coming so that the untutored populace will not be led astray when they see that the End Times have already come but there is no sign of the Messiah” (Igeret Teiman, chapter 3 p.24.) 1b. Rabbi Moses Abraham Levi: "I have examined and searched all the Holy Scriptures and have not found the time for the coming of Messiah clearly fixed, except in the words of Gabriel to the bp www biblequery organ mt aisssuzor7 Bb Query from Darel prophet Daniel, which are written in the 9th chapter of the prophecy of Daniel (The Messiah of the Targums, Talmuds and Rabbinical Writers, 1971) p.141-142 (These two quotes were taken from The Creator Beyond Time and Space by Mark Eastman, M.D. and Chuck Missler (The Word for Today, 1996)). 2. The starting point is March/April 444 B.C. Daniel 9:25 explicitly states the starting point was the decree to restore and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. This decree is given in Nehemiah 2, and this is 444 B.C. Note that it is not Cyrus’ 538/537 B.C. decree to allow the Jews to return home, and it is not Artaxerxes's decree in 458 B.C. (Ezra 7:11-26) allowing the Jews to take back the gold and silver that the Babylonians looted from Solomon's Temple. The early Christian writer Julius Africanus, writing 232-245 A.D.) also mentions the command during Nehemiah's time as being the starting point, (Ante- Nicene Fathers volume 6 p.135) 3. 360-days years are used. The Jewish religious year was 12 months of 30 days each. Thus 7 sevens is 49*360 = 17,640 days. 7+62=69 sevens is 173,880 days. 1 seven is 2,520 days. Skipping the details of converting 360-day years to 265.25 day years (and 1 B.C. to 1 A.D. is 1 year, not 2), this gives dates of; 3a. 396/395 B.C. (June/July) the city will be rebuilt. 3b. 32/33 A.D. (March/April + 5 days) The Messiah willbe killed. The Believer's Bible Commentary p.1092 says that Anderson computed this to April 6, 32 A.D. Dr. Harold Hoehner comes up with 33 AD. 3c. Skipping a period of time (for reasons given in the next answer), the end times will be a period of 7 * 360/365.25 = 6.9 of our years. God wanted to point out to people when His Messiah would come, and for those who cared to look, it is very clear. See the Beliover's Bible Commentary p.1085-1087, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties p.289-292, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Old Testament p.1361-1365, The Complete Book of Bible Answers 256-257, and 1001 Bible Questions Answered p.285-286 for more info. Tronw Oli San 9:24-27, could a week here be seven days instead of seven years? ‘A: No. Daniel was praying about the prophecy of Jeremiah, which is in years, Also in Daniel 9:25, it would be hard to rebuild the city in just 7 days. Hard Sayings of the Bible p.318-320 says that since the whole sabbatical year was laid out in terms of sevens, equating the "sevens" with years was not a problem for Jewish listeners, especially since the Jubilee was once every seven years in Leviticus 25 Q: In Dan 9:24.27, how do we know which is the correct decree? A: There were in fact three decrees: For the Jews to return in 538/7 B.C., Artaxerxes’ decree in 458 B.C. for the Jews to get back the gold and silver from their Temple, and Artaxerxes’ decree in 444 B.C. However Danie! 9:25 explicitly says the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (not the Temple). Artaxerxes’ decree of 444 B.C. is the only decree that fits this description. The early Christian writer Julius Africanus, (232-245 A.D.) also discusses this in Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 6 Five Books of the Chronology of Julius Africanus ch.16.1 p.134, He mentions the command during Nehemiah’ time as being the starting point. (p.135) Q: In Dan 9:24-27, how do we know the decree in the 20th year of Artaxerxes | was 444 B.C., and how do we know it was not Artaxerxes II? ‘A: When Artaxerxes became king by defeating his brother Hystaspes in Bactria, this was almost immediately known in Egypt by January 2/3, 464 B.C., as the Elephantine Papyrus Cowley #6 proves. Thic fret "alanine waar wae entintad ae starting Anvil 142 ARA RC The fred Athanian aonaral hpi biblequery orden mt 20148Bible { reigimy year was WuurneU ao otal uny mp! rom Dariel Han yer Thucydides, who was also a historian, wrote about Artaxerxes |, as did the historians Ctesias and Diodorus Siculus (1st century B.C.). We know this was Artaxerxes I (not Il) because a Papyrus found in Elephantine Island, Egypt (Cowley #30), dated 407 B.C. mentions the sons of Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, (There was a Persian fort made up of Jewish mercenaries at Elephantine). See Persia and the Bible p.242,247-248 for more info. Q: In Dan 9:24-27, why use a 360-day year? ‘A: Why use a 365.25-day year, since the Bible never does? The Jewish religious year was always 12 months of 30 days each. Periodically, the Jews added an extra month to get the calendar back in sync with the seasons. In the Bible, a 30-day month goes back to Noah in Gen 7:11,24; 8:3-4. Besides all the references to religious months in the Old Testament, in the New Testament 30 days is a month in Revelation 11:3,4. The early Christian writer Julius Africanus, writing 232-245 A.D.) also mentions converting from a 365.25 day year to the Jewish year. He said the Jewish year was 29.5 days, with 3 extra months added every 8 years, (Ante-Nicene Fathers volume 6 p.137) Q; In Dan 9:24-27, what is the rationale for saying there is a gap between the 69th and 70th year? ‘A: Four points to consider in the answer. 41. Nothing in Daniel indicates that the last seven is immediately after the 69 sevens. 2, In contrast, Daniel 9:25 implies the 7 sevens and 62 sevens are one unit until the Messiah comes. There is no mention of the last seven being combined with any other period. %eAfter the Messiah is cut off and has nothing, a number of events are listed that are not associated With either the middle period (62 sevens) or the last seven. Namely, the people of the ruler who will

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